survivors ofthis second cohort were re-examined at the ages of 75 and 79 (220 men, 318 women; participation rate 82%). Our study deals with a subsample of the 79 year olds from cohort II and a subsample of 85 year olds, including survivors of the original first cohort and 85 year olds invited and examined for the first time.
SAMPLINGThe design and sampling have previously been described"2"4 in detail. In summary, the sample of 70 year olds (cohort I) in 1971-72 was consecutively assigned numbers from 1 to 5 in order to permit subsampling. These 'proband figures' were unchanged throughout the longitudinal study. The last invited 85 year olds were assigned numbers 11 to 13. All 85 year olds were interviewed about joint complaints. Probands numbered 3, 5, and 13 were selected for clinical joint examination and radiographic examination of the wrists, hands, and knee joints. In this report only the interviews on the probands selected for joint exination are referred to.
Functional performance, i.e. personal and instrumental activities of daily living (P-ADL, I-ADL), was studied in a population of 70-year-old persons followed to the age of 76, and with an intervention period included between the ages of 70 and 73. At age 70 (n = 617), 83% were independent, 13% were dependent in I-ADL and 4% dependent in I+P-ADL. Among the independent subjects, the 6-year outcome in mortality was 13%. Dependence at 70 predicted mortality as well as institutionalization, and the risk was higher for those dependent in P+I-ADL than for persons dependent in I-ADL only. Of participant survivors the incidence of disability was 30% (8% between 70 and 73, 26% between 73 and 76 years of age) and was dominated by dependence in I-ADLs. The intervention did not lead to less dependence in ADL at age 76. Gender differences were found at age 76 in cooking, bathing and dressing, males being more dependent in such activities. At 70, 73 and 76 years of age, assistance given by relatives dominated.
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